Table top construction



May 16, 1939- s. MADsr-:N 2,158,467

TABLE TOP CONSTRUCTION Filed NOV. 5, 1958 Il'. l I. l'

INVENT OR. S65/Wm M SV @um ATTORNEYS Patented May 16, i939 PATENT OFFICE TABLE TOP CONSTRUCTION Sern Madsen, Clinton, Iowa, assignor to Curtis Companies Incorporated, Clinton, Iowa, a e.'-

poration of Iowa Application November 3, 1938, Serial No. 238,582

16 Claims.

One object of my present invention is to provide a table top construction particularly adapted for installation as a sink supporting counter in a kitchen or the like, and adapted for convenient installation, particularly of the sink relative to the table top and of a plurality of table top members when turning a corner in a room.

A further object is to provide a table top with a sink opening and means for lining or trimming the opening with a banding of metal such as aluminum alloy, andlwhich banding cooperates with a linoleum covering for the table top in a very neat manner.

' A further object is to provide a means for supporting the sink from the banding so that the banding is the sole support for the sink and eliminates the necessity of attaching the sink rim to the table top itself.

Still another object is to provide a table top arranged to receive a banding frame and so constructed that the tabletop may be cut for insertion of the banding frame and thereafter spliced together in a manner which gives to the table top its maximum of strength.

Another object is to provide a table top construction to which a sink may be attached and the joints between sections of the table top are so formed that there are no visible screws or other fastening means. 3 Another object is to provide a joint between the sink and a table top which eliminates the possibility of water, if it should leak through the joint, coming in contact with the under surface of the `table top causing swelling, warping or deterioration.

With these and other objects in View, my invention with respect to its features which I believe to be novel and patentable will be pointed out in the claims appended hereto. For a better detailed understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following description and to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of the table top construction embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, showing a splice between sections of the table top;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, showing the coaction of the 55 greater detail;

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 1 showing a spliced joint in the table top made for the purpose of inserting the frame ofthe banding material inthe sink opening: 5

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the banding material and a banding splice bar for coaction therewith, and

Figure 7 is an enlai'ged section of the sink banding joint as on the line |-1 of Figure 1. lo

On the accompanying drawing, I have used the reference numeral Il to indicate one section of a table top. Other sections thereof are indicated at I2, I3 and`l4. A backsplasher I5 is used in connection with the tabk top sections III, I2, I3 1 and I4 when the table top is installed as a counter or worktable in a kitchen or the like. The walls of the kitchen are indicated at I6.

The table top sections I2 and I4 are joined to the corner sections I3 by splice bars I'I..=The 20 splice bars Il, as shown in Figure 2, are of T- shaped cross section having arms I8 andv a leg I9. The leg I9 is screw-threaded to receive clamping screws 2l.

The leg I9 is located between the table top 25 sections and a splice plate 2l is engaged with the lower surfaces thereof by the clamp screws 20. The splice plates 2l have their edges 22 upturned and received in transverse grooves 23 of the top members I2, I3 and M.

A banding frame F is provided to line a sink opening 24 in the top member iI-II. V'Ihe frame F may be formed of any size desired to fit dif-- ferent standard sizes of sink openings. Initially, the frame F is formed in straight bars of chan- 35 nel-shaped cross section having anges 25 and 26 and a web 21. An over bead 28 forms a pocket to receive the edge of a top' member 29 of linoleum or the like.

The flange 25 rests on the top of the table top 40 Ill-I2 and may be either countersunk-in the linoleum or the table top. The iiange 26 is spaced below the lowersuriace of the table top. The ange 26 has a groove 3l in its lower surface adapted to receive sealing material such as mas- 45 tic or putty 3l.

The banding framed'l may be secured in position relative to the table top by screws 32. A sink S having a ange 33 is supported solely by the banding frame F. The means of support consists of c clamps C in the form of bars 34 provided with clamp screws 35. As many of the bars 34 are used as necsary to surround the sink, as shown by dotted lines in Figure 1.

The back splasher l5 may be a. panel covered 5I with linoleum 23a with a top banding ll and a fillet mold 31 to finish ot! the top edge thereof and the joint between the linoleum 29 and the linoleum 29a.

Forming the banding frame l" of a length of channel bar of the shape disclosed, requires that a joint be provided for the ends of the banding. This joint is indicated at 3l in Figure 1 VVand the manner of splicing it is illustrated in Figure 6. A banding splice bar 39 is provided having depressions 4l. One end of the banding frame is shown in Figure 6, and it is obvious that the other end is to be abutted thereagainst. 'I'hereupon the banding splice bar 39 is moved to the dotted position and indentations Il formed in the outer surfaces of the flanges 25 and 28 adjacent the recesses 4I. The indentations Il cause protuberances 42 to appear on the inner surfaces of the flanges 25 and 26 which enter the recesses. The indentations ll may be formed with a center punch or with a pair of tongs particularly designed for this purpose. After the indentations are formed, the ends of the banding frame are retained rigidly in joint relationship to each other and kept from pulling apart. Also the banding splice bar 3! is retained against movement out of the flanges 25 and 26.

'I'he frame F, after it is formed, may be inserted in the sink opening 24 when the table top sections III and I2 are separated from each other along the joint indicated at I2. 'Ihis joint is preferably a scarfed joint so that when the edges of the joint are brought together and spliced by a spline M (see Figure 5), the joint extends diagonally of the grain of the wood and thereby maximum strength in the finished top section I-IZ is secured. The' diagonal arrangement of the joints also permits a tightening of the joint as the sections Il and I2 are moved toward each other.

A number of advantages are inherent in the construction of my table top as described in the foregoing specification. The sink opening and the banding frame F will t stock sinks made by sink manufacturers. 'Die counter or table top units may be readily fitted into any room and the joints between adjacent top members effectively connected together in a neat and rigid manner by the structure shown in Figure 2. 'I'here are no visible screws in either the splice bar 'Il or the banding frame F. This is accomplished by having the screws 2l extend upwardly into the legs of the splice bars while the screws 32 of the frame F are covered by vlinoleum 29. The covering 29 may be readily replaced or changed by local linoleum workmen if necessary or desired. 'I'he manner of application of the linoleum adjacent the portion 2l ofthe banding frame prevents water from getting down to the table top sections III and I2.

The groove at 3l in the banding frame F permits reception of the sealing compound 3l so as to form a fluid-tight joint at this point with the sink rim 32. If at any time this joint should happen to open up, the seepage of water therethrough will not result in the water getting to the sections l0 and I2 because the sink is entirely suspended from the banding 'and the clamps C are spaced from the wood of the top sections I0 and I2.

'I'he manner of suspending the sink gives an installation which is all metal and immune from effects of shrink and swell. No shrink or swell of wood parts can loosen or otherwise affect the permanence of the sealed joint between the banding frame and the sink. The upper iiange 25 -of the banding frame rests on top of the table top members I0 and I2 and thereby the banding frame and sink are supported in such manner that the flange 25-is always held tightly in engagement with the table top by the weight of the sink.

The clamps C are preferably elongated as shown in Figure, 1 by dotted lines, and each is provided with at least three clamping screws 35 so that they can extend completely throughout the entire periphery of the frame F and thereby effectively support the sink in, a rigid manner relative to the table top. The C clamp arrangement eliminates al1 necessity of screwing any supports into the bottom of the table top.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the principle of operation of my invention together with an illustration of the table top construction which I consider to represent the best embodiment thereof, but I desire to have it understood that the structure disclosed is only illustrativey and that the invention may be carried out by other means within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by` Letters Patent of the United States is:

,1. In a tabletop construction, a top member.

having a sink opening therein, a metallic banding element for trimming said opening, said banding element having a flange engaging that portion of said second ange.

2. In a table top construction, a top member having a sink opening therein, a banding element for trimming said opening, said banding element having a flange engaging that portion of the top surface of said top member immediately surrounding said opening, a wall to cover the edge of said opening and a second ange extending under said top member and spaced from the bottom surface thereof, a sink supported by said second flange, said second iiange having means in the vbottom face thereof to receive sealing compound, said sink having its rim contacting with said sealing compound and clamp means for holding and retaining closed the joint between said sink rim, sealing compound and second iiange.

3. In a table top construction, a top member having a sink opening therein, a banding element for trimming said opening, said banding element having a flange supported by said top member, having a wall to cover the edge of the opening and having a second flange extending under said top member and spaced therefrom, and a sink supported by said second flange, said second flange having a recess in the bottom face thereof and sealing compound in saidrecess, said sink having its rim contacting with said sealing compound.

4. In a table top construction, a top member having a sink opening therein, a banding element for trimming said opening, said banding element having a flange engaging the top surface of said top member whereby to support the banding element relative to the top member, aA Wall to cover the edge of the opening and a second flange extending under said top member and spaced from the bottom surface thereof, and a sink supported solely by said second flange.

5. In a structure for attaching a sink to a table top having a sink opening therein, a banding element lining said opening, said banding element being supported by said table top and having a iiange portion spaced from and extending under said table top, the rim of the sink being held in joint relationship with said flange portion and clamp means to eiect such holding, said clamp means embracing said flange portion and said sink rim.

6. In a structure for attaching a sink to a table top having a sink opening therein, a banding element lining said opening, said banding element having a channel portion embracing the edge of said table top adjacent said sink opening, and means for supporting the rim of the sink in joint relationship withA the lower flange of said banding element comprising clamp means embracing said ange and said sink rim.

7. A table top having a sink opening, a banding strip for said opening having a lower hori zontal flange, a sink rim in contact therewith and clamping means independent of the table top for holding the iiange and rim in closed joint relationship, said flange having Ya recess for retaining a joint sealing medium for sealing the joint between the flange and the sink rim.

8. A table top having a sink opening, a banding strip for said opening having a lower horizontal flange, a sink rim supported thereby and clamping means independent of thetable top for effecting such support of said sink by said banding element.

9. In a table top construction, a top member having a sink opening therein, a frame of banding material lining said opening, said banding material having a flange resting on the upper 'surface of said table top, said table top being cut on lines extending diagonally from said banding frame to permit insertion of the banding frame into said sink opening and being spliced at the cuts to forma complete table top after the banding frame is inserted, and means to attach the rim of a sink to said banding frame so that the banding frame forms the sole means of support for the sink.

10. In a table top construction, a top member having a sink opening therein, a frame of banding material lining said opening, means to support said banding frame relative to the table top, said table top being cut on lines extending diagonally from said opening to permit insertion of the banding frame thereinto and being spliced at the cuts to form a complete table top after the banding frame is inserted, and means to attach the rim of a sink to said banding frame.

11. I n a table top construction, a top member having a sink opening therein, a frame of banding material lining said opening and having a. ange resting on the upper surface o1' said table top adjacent said opening, said table top being cut on lines extending from said opening to permit insertion of the banding frame thereinto and being spliced at the cuts, and means to secure the rim of a sink in contact with said banding frame so that the banding frame forms the sole means of support therefor.

12. In a table top construction, a top member having a sink receiving opening therein, a frame of banding material lining said opening, said banding material being channel-shaped lto embrace the edge of said table top adjacent said opening, said table top being cut on lines extending diagonally from said banding frame to permit insertion of the banding frame into said sink opening and being spliced at the cuts after the banding frame is inserted.

13. In a table top construction, a top member having a sink opening therein, a frame of banding material lining said opening, said banding material being channel-shaped and formed to provide a substantially rectangular frame, and means for splicing the ends of the frame together comprising a plate between the iian'ges of said banding material, and indentations in the flanges of said banding material and coacting with depressions in said splice bar to retain the ends of the banding material aligned with each other and from pulling apart by coaction of the protuberances formed by said indentations with said depressions.

14. In a table top construction, a top member having a sink opening therein, a frame of banding vmaterial lining said opening, said banding material having spaced flanges and being formed to provide a substantially rectangular frame, means for splicing the ends 'of the frame together comprising a plate between said flanges and having depressions, and indentations in said flanges coacting with said depressions to retain the ends of the banding aligned with each other and from pulling apart by coaction oi the protuberances formed by said indentations with said recesses.

15. In a table top construction, a top memberA having a sink opening therein, a frame of substantially channel-shaped banding material lining said opening, means for splicing the ends of the frame togetherA comprising a plate between the flanges of said banding, and indentations in the flanges of said banding coacting with depressions in said splice bar to retain the parts assembled relative to each other.

16. In a table top construction, a top member having a sink opening therein, a frame oi' substantially channel-shaped banding material lining said opening and means for splicing the ends of the frame together comprising a plate between the flanges of said banding, and indentations in the flanges of said banding coacting with depressions in said splice bar to retain the parts assembled relative to each other, said depressions being adjacent one face of said splice bar whereby the protuberances resulting from forming said indentations crowd said splice bar toward the web of said banding.

' BERN MADBEN. 

